Screening cuts cancer death rate

FEWER people are contracting cancer and those diagnosed with the disease are now living longer as better screening and more sophisticated treatments lower mortality rates, landmark research shows.

The study released yesterday showed America joining Australia as the two top nations when it comes to cancer survival rates.

The US National Cancer Institute's report revealed cancer incidence rates fell 0.5 per cent per year from 1991 to 2001, while death rates from all cancers combined dropped 1.1 per cent per year from 1993 to 2001.

"Overall, Australia's mortality rates are actually dropping more than the US rates," said Mark Elwood, director of the National Cancer Control Initiative in Melbourne.